Centering device for radial draft gears



A1 1 32- 0. K. KJOLSETH A 1,352,310

CENTERING DEVICE, FOR RADIAL DRAFT GEARS Filed Aug. 22, 1930 Inventor: Ole K. Kiolseth,

. His Attorneg.

latented Apr. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OLE K. KJ'OIJSETH, OF ERIE, PENE'SYLVANIA,,ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CENTERING DEVICE FOR. RADIAL DRAFT GEARS Application filed August 22,1930. Serial No. 477,061.

My invention relates to a device for automatically centering radial draft gears and has reference particularly to an improved formof mechanism for maintaining a pivotally mounted or radially movable draft gear in axial alignment with the longitudinal center line of the car.

The object of my invention is to provide a simplified and improved centering device for a draft gear which will permit considerable angular movement of the draft gear with respect to the longitudinal center line of a car, but which will at all times exert a centering force tending to maintain the draft gear in 15 alignment with the center of the car.

I accomplish this object by providing in combination with a car frame, a coupler and a supporting member for the coupler pivotally connected with the car frame and having a portion extending beyond this connection cooperating with a spring for centering the coupler with respect to the car frame.

My invention will be more fully explained V in the following description referring to the m accompanying drawings and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing part of a car frame with a draft gear embodying my invention in axial alignment with said car frame; Fig. 2 is a plan of the same structure with the coupler and housing swung to one side of its central position.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown my invention in connection with the frame 1 of a locomotive or car provided with a draft gear including a coupler 2 and buffing device of any suitable construction, arranged in a housing or supporting member 3 which is pivotally connected at 1 to the frame 1.

In accordance with my invention, the end of the housing nearest the coupler is bolted or otherwise rigidly attached to a frame 6 which is provided with rollers 7 resting on an arcuate track 8 suspended atthe ends thereof from the car or locomotive platform by ver- M tically extending arms 9, and also connected to the frame 1 by reinforcing plates 10 of such construction as not to restrict the radial movement of the coupler and supporting member.

The draft gear is resiliently centered with respect to the car frame by a spring and rocker mechanism secured to the car frame and connected to the draft gear. In the particular construction illustrated, the rocker mechanism includes a triangular-shaped rocker 11 having pivoting seats 12 adapted to engage cross-pins 13 which, are secured to the car frame. These pivoting seats are formed in the rocker equidistant from and on opposite sides of a pin 14:, located at the middle of one side of the rocker. The pin 14 connects the rocker to a tension bar 15 which is ad justably secured to a spring 16. The spring is held under compression between a spring retaining plate 18, adjustably secured by nuts 19 on the tension bar 15, and a retaining groove and shoulder 20 formed in a reinforcing plate 21 of the framework of the platform structure. The rocker 11 can rock about either of the pins 13 as a center and thus impart to the pin 1a a small lateral movement and a relatively large. longitudinal movement. Such a movement of the rocker, transmitted by means of the tension bar 15, compresses the spring, which exerts a force tending to returnthe rocker to its centered position resting against both of the pins 13. A sliding and pivotal connection is provided betweenthe rocker 11 and the draft gear by means of a roller or longitudinally movable pivot 17 carried by the rocker and engaged by jaws 3a, which are an integral part of the housing 3 extending beyond the pivotal connectionf l.

When radial movement of the draft gear occurs the jaws 3a swing to one side causing the rocker 11 to pivot about one of the pins 13, thereby compressing the spring 16, which exerts a force, as has been explained, and tends to return the draft gear to its central position. Since the rocker 11 is provided with the two bearing seats 12 which pivot on pins 13 as heretofore explained, a radial displacement of the draft gear in either direction has the same effect on the spring.

This combination provides a simple and effective means of utilizing the spring for centering the draft gear, and the supporting plate 6 and rollers 7 together with the track 8 and pivot 4 permit considerable angular movement thereof. The construction also has but few sliding surfaces between the parts causing frictional resistance and wear, thus greatly enhancing the life of the draft gear.

While I have illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention, modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood therefore, that my invention is not to be limited to the particular arrangement disclosed, and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1 In combination with a frame, a coupler including a supporting member, means for pivotally securing said supporting member to said frame, said supporting member having an extension beyond said pivotal means, a rocker having a roller engaging said supporting member extension, a tension bar secured to said rocker opposite said roller, and means including a spring having an adjustable connection to said tension bar and CO1- operating therewith and with said rocker for centering said coupler with respect to said car frame,

2. In combination with a frame, a draft gear including a coupler and a supporting member pivotally secured to said frame, means including rollers and a track for providing free radial movement of said coupler,

supporting member having jaws extending beyond its pivotal connection with said frame, a rocker having a movable pivot engaging said jaws, a tension bar secured to said rocker opposite said movable pivot, said rocker being provided with bearing seats on opposite sides of said tension bar and equidistant therefrom, cross-pins secured to said frame and engaged by said rocker seats, and means including a spring cooperating with said tension bar and rocker for exerting a force maintaining said coupler centered with respect to said frame.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of August, 1930.

OLE K- KJQLSET 

